Locking mechanism for handles of bladed tools



March 6,' 1951 P. s. VOSBIKIAN ETAL 2,544,197

LOCKING MECHANISM FOR HANDLES OF BLADED TOOLS Filed Feb. 28, 1947 ATTORNEX Patented Mar. 6, 1 951 LOCKING MECHANISM FOR HANDLES OF BLADEDTOOLS Peter S. Vosbikian and Thomas S. Vosbikian, Melrose, Pa.

Application February 28, 1947, Serial No. 731,600

1 Claim. 1

The object of this invention is to devise novel means for securing thehandles of bladed tools in their closed condition.

A further object of the invention is to devise novel latching mechanismhaving a latch pivotally mounted within one of the handles and adaptedto latch with a pin or rod within one of the handles.

A further object is to mount the latch mechanism in such a manner thatit will not interfere with the normal operation of the tool and will besubstantially concealed within the handles.

A further object is to tension the latch in a novel manner so that Whenthe handles are pressed towards their closed position, the latch will beautomatically released and will swing into its open position.

With the foregoing and other objects in view as will hereinafter clearlyappear, our invention comprehends novel latching mechanism for securingthe handles of bladed tools in their closed position.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, we have shown in theaccompanying drawings a preferred embodiment of it which we have foundin practice to give satisfactory and reliable results. It is, however,to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which theinvention consists can be variously arranged and organized and theinvention is not limited to the exact arrangement and organization ofthese instrumentalities as herein set forth.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a pair of shears with handle lockingmechanism, embodying our invention.

Figure 2 is a section on line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan View with part of the handle removed toshow the latch in its open position.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings:

It is to be understood that it is immaterial whether the blades areadapted for cutting, gripping or holding.

As illustrated for purpose of explanation, the tool has blades l and 2,pivotally connected with handles 3 and 4, the connection providing acompound leverage action if desired. The handles are channel shaped incross section and within the channel of one handle one end of a latch 5is pivoted on a pivot pin 6 riveted or otherwise secured to the handle.The free end of the latch forms a hook 1 adapted to engage a pin 8riveted or otherwise secured within the 2 channel of the other handle.The latch is provided with an offset portion 9 which is pressed by theoperator to move the latch into its looking position.

In order to effect the automatic release of the latch a tension deviceis provided in the form of a' spring in one end of which bears againstthe latch at H and the other end is fixed at It! to a notch in thehandle to which the latch is pivoted. It will thus be clear that thelatch except for the offset portion 9 forming a pressure member iswithin the planes of the handles. The offset portion 9 does not extendoutwardly beyond the handles a sufficient distance to form anobstruction to the normal use of the tool,

and therefore does not interfere with such normal use.

The arrangement of the spring is such as to cause the automatic openingof the latch when released from the pin with which the hook of the latchcooperates.

When the latching mechanism is in its locked condition and the handlesare pressed together, the latch is released and is moved by the springinto its unlatched position and retained in such position.

To look the handles in their closed position, the handles are pressedtogether and by means of the pressure member 9 the latch is moved intoengagement with its keeper formed by the pin 8.

Our present invention solves the problem of a locking mechanism forbladed tools which is substantially concealed within the handles, whichsecures the blades and handles in their locked condition, and which willautomatically release when the handles are pressed together, and at thesame time will not form an obstruction extending beyond the planes ofthe handles to interfere with the manipulation of the tool in itsoperation.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

Locking mechanism for the handles of bladed tools, comprising thecombination with blades pivoted together and handles having graspingportions channel shaped in cross section, pivoted to the rear ends ofthe blades and having forward extensions pivoted together at theirforward ends, of a latch comprising a flat strip having a hook at oneend and having the other end pivoted within the channel of one handle inadvance of its grasping portion and having an offset pressure portionmidway between its hook and pivot and extending laterally of the median3 line of the tool when the handles are latched, a spring for the latchand tending to move the latch into concealed position within its channelexcept for the pressure portion which extends longitudinally of and inclose proximity to the inner face of the handle to which it is pivoted,and a keeper in the channel of the other handle in advance of itsgrasping portion, said pressure portion when the latch is in latchedposition being disposed between the handles and extending exteriorthereof at one side of the tool.

PETER S. VOSBIKIAN. THOMAS S. VOSBIKIAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 309,888 Shepard Dec. 30, 1884670,416 Cronk Mar. 26, 1901 1,104,768 Bernard July 28, 1914' 1,546,317Rogers July 14, 1925' 1,741,109 I-Ieimerdinger Dec. 24, 1929

